Beverly Hills, Calif. – Date June 4, 2012 – STARZ announced today the upcoming season of the international hit series “Spartacus” will be the conclusion of the saga. With a visual style completely unique to television, the franchise has amassed both critical and popular acclaim to become the most successful on the network and one of the highest rated programs in all of cable television. More than six million weekly viewers watched last season, “Spartacus: Vengeance,” which has amassed more than 2.5 million Facebook fans. Globally, the series airs in 150 countries in more than 15 languages.

“The fans have been tremendously supportive of our show,” says creator and executive producer, Steven S. DeKnight. “We did not come to this decision lightly. It was an extremely difficult and emotional decision for my partners and I. Yet, in the end, the story was best served by rolling all of the remaining action and drama of Spartacus' journey into one stunningly epic season that will be extremely satisfying for everyone who's been along for the ride."
"Steven DeKnight, Rob Tapert, Josh Donen and Sam Raimi have made one of the most groundbreaking shows we have ever seen," says Starz CEO Chris Albrecht. "’Spartacus’ is a landmark series for the network which has enthralled millions of viewers and fans around the world. We are in agreement with our partners in the decision to conclude the story after ‘War of the Damned,’ as we believe it is the best way to maintain the integrity of the series and secure its legacy. While everyone may know the fate of Spartacus, we believe this will be a spectacular season that will startle, amaze and honor the legions of fans.”

“Spartacus: War of the Damned,” currently in production in New Zealand, takes place following the defeat of Roman commander Gaius Claudius Glaber. Spartacus and his men have amassed major victories against the Romans after the Battle of Vesuvius. These victories have not only forged the legend of Spartacus, but have greatly increased the ranks of the rebellion slaves to more than 30,000. Rome is indeed beginning to tremble at the threat Spartacus now represents.

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The Emmy® nominated series, already known for its groundbreaking production and visual style, has set the bar even higher to bring the story to its epic conclusion. This year, new sets will include the construction of a full city, a Roman Villa, and the scene of the epic battle along the Appian Way.

Airing in 150 countries, the series is considered an unqualified smash around the world, including Brazil, England, France, Germany, Italy, Korea, Mexico, Portugal, Russia, Spain, Turkey, and more. The enormous international success has led to global licensing for a variety of rights, including: authentic prop replicas, publishing, soundtracks, motion comic books, trading cards, and a few more major deals soon to be announced.

In the US and abroad, the DVDs continue to be one of the most popular titles sold at all major retailers, appearing in the Top 10 of all TV titles sold.
The “Spartacus” franchise began its run Friday, January 22, 2010 with “Blood and Sand.” It was followed a year later with the prequel, “Gods of the Arena” (January 21, 2011). “Vengeance” hit the air on January 27, 2012 and “War of the Damned” is scheduled to air January 2013.

“Spartacus: War of the Damned” sees the return on Liam McIntyre (Spartacus), Manu Bennett (Crixus), Dustin Clare (Gannicus), Dan Feuerriegel (Agron), Cynthia Addai-Robinson (Naevia) and Ellen Hollman (Saxa). This year, Todd Lasance joins the cast as Gaius Julius Caesar, along with Simon Merrells, who will be playing Marcus Crassus and Anna Hutchison as Laeta.

I don’t get Starz so have never seen it, but from what I’ve read it was a good show. Glad they get a chance to wrap it up in style.

DW

they were slashing the budget and giving it to boss.

Leoben Conoy

What a total and complete letdown.

Shame on you Starz. Shame on you.

you have lost me as a subscriber once season 3 is done.

DW

i think its good that a show goes out like this. wanting more. maybe they should do this for the walking dead.

scifi

This is not scifi.

Colin

Great decision, Spartacus is just painful to watch. Blood, killings, violence. Nothing else. Just something for simple people that dont need some substance. I prefer Boss.

Bunk

I love that name, “War of the Damned.” It fits Spartacus so well. Final season though? That’s a huge disappointment. Starz better have an amazing series or two in the works, or they’re going to lose some subscribers.

ethan

i dont get why its ending…im sure season 3 will be epic,but still…ratings wise it would seem like it could go longer…and quality wise it certainly has not yet started to decline… puzzling

Steve-A

Well, no reason to keep starz after that.

Bunk

LOL @ pretentious people claiming that people who enjoy Spartacus are “simple” and “don’t need substance.” There isn’t anything on TV that comes close to The Wire. If I want substance, I’ll rewatch that, or maybe The Shield, or The Sopranos. Hell, even Breaking Bad, Justified, Mad Men, and Game of Thrones have their fair share.

Even though it’s fairly well-written and acted, Boss is still a stylistic imitation of “substance,” same as Spartacus.

HGFM

For those who don’t understand why the series is ending, go read the article that Observer linked to. DeKnight is quite clear that he didn’t want to follow history too closely and have season after season of meandering and random battles. Better to skip to the high spots and get to the known ending.
Kudos to DeKnight and Starz for going for better storytelling and not the money.

Ram510

I understand quit while your ahead mentality, but they are barely peaking. The should at least let it go to 4 seasons

1454

Bad news! I want 7 slowly seasons, than 1 EPIC!

city kitty

Isn’t this the way history really was? Spartacus and his band were wiped out by the Romans. The End.

The End

@city kitty

His fate in reality is unknown. Thought to of died in battle along with his men but his body was never found.

The ending is kinda gruesome though, 6000 survivors from his revolt were crucified.

Jase

Sad news, but three seasons + a mini-series (Spartacus: Gods of the Arena) has been/will be enough to end things on a high note. Aside from Boss, Starz doesn’t have much left to hang its hat on (if you will).

DonJ1973

DeKnight also has a development deal with Starz and sold a new show to them. I think he probably wants to end Spartacus while it’s on top creatively and in the ratings so he can work on his new series.

From what I have seen in the behind the scenes footage, Spartacus is a really tough series to produce both from a physical production and post production standpoint.